Summary- "And standing there at his door was Rodney Mckay, soaked to the bone with a sobbing little girl in his arms." McShep, Rodney abused story.

Spoilers for the whole series.

A/N- Okies I really wanted to do this fic for a long time. I didn't want it to be a typical abuse story. Abuse does happen in other couple types…so yeah…to really get yourself into the story I suggest listening to "Two Beds and a coffee machine" by Savage Garden.

Another stop sign

Chapter 1- Wonder how I ever made it through

The rain poured down from the night sky as thunder clapped loudly. John lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. It's been four years since Atlantis had landed on earth. Four years since the city had become as common in the sea as an office building was on the street.

He looked at the alarm clock with a small sigh. The neon colored numbers blinked twelve at him reminding him he unplugged it, the numbers to him were just counting down hours spent alone. He sat up fully in bed and looked out his window and wondered what his team was up too.

Teyla was probably awake with Torrin, Ronon was probably sleeping and Rodney…well Rodney left Atlantis after a year being back on earth. He went off to get married to a lovely man he met at some club in LA.

At least that's what the letter said. The last letter john ever received from Rodney. No one has heard from him since, which worried john. It was almost as if Rodney Mckay vanished without a trace.

A frantic knock on his front door broke john from his thoughts. With a confused look john got up. As he approached his front door he heard the sound of a child crying.

John opened the door and peered outside before opening it all the way.

And standing there at his door was Rodney Mckay, soaked to the bone with a sobbing little girl in his arms.

"John! I'm so sorry to bother you this late at night b-b-but I didn't know where else to go...I didn't know what else to do…I just had to get out of there…" Rodney babbled as john let him in.

"Just hang on and let me get some towels, then you can tell me everything." John said as he went to get towels. When he came back Rodney was comforting the little girl in his arms.

"Shh Bella sweetheart…daddy's got you…its ok…" Rodney said softly to Bella as she started to calm. She kept her arms around his neck lightly and leaned her head in the crook of his neck.

John watched silently for a moment as Rodney rocked Bella lightly, kissing her temple softly, there were tears in his eyes. Once john was half sure Bella was sleeping he approached them and silently led Rodney into the living room.

Rodney set Bella on the couch and dried her off gently before drying himself off as best as he could.

"Do you want some coffee? I could put it on if you like…" john said and was about to go to the kitchen on a positive thought that Rodney would say yes but he shook his head.

"It's too late for coffee…not like I'll be able to sleep anyway…" he said as he sat on the couch beside Bella.

"Well I'll put some tea on then, to warm you up" he said as he continued on into the kitchen and put the tea on. Once it was done, he went back into the living room and turned on the light before sitting down and setting down the cups of hot tea.

It was in the light john could see the violent and vivid bruises along Rodneys neck and arms as well as the cut on his cheek.

"Rodney…What happened?" John asked as he looked his best friend up and down.

Rodney took in a shaky breath, "I'm such a wrong judge of character…but I was too quick to settle. I thought he was perfect john…" He lifted his head to meet johns eyes, "but I was so wrong…it wasn't bad in the beginning. He was gentle and sweet, even after Bella came into our lives but after Bella's 4th birthday…it went so wrong. He became controlling and demanding…he'd beat me in front of Bella and when he threatened Bella's life…I had to get out of there…that's why I came here.." his voice broke lightly as tears brimmed his eyes, "I didn't know where else to go…"

John pushed all anger he held for Rodneys Ex and stood up holding his arms out to him, "C'mere…" he said gently as he pulled Rodney into his arms.

Rodney slid into his arms oddly, not expecting john to hug him. On Atlantis they rarely hugged. It wasn't until that very moment he realized he really needed it as tears filled his eyes and poured down.

"I rushed into it. I was just so fucking quick to get a normal life…I wanted the story book life. A nice porch, a beautiful back yard, kids and a cat…but I never got that. Sure I got my angel Bella but he hurt me…s…so badly…I…" Rodney stopped talking as his voice cracked and small quiet sobs broke through. His hands gripped johns shirt as the sobs rolled on.

John rested his cheek against Rodney's wet hair rubbing his back. He could feel his heart breaking for him and wished with all his soul he could take every bruise and inflict them on the son of a bitch that thought it was cool to beat their husbands.

"Does he know you left with Bella?" John asked gently as he held onto Rodney.

"No… I slipped something in his drink so he'd fall asleep and as soon as it took effect I packed everything that Bella and I own and took off. Funny how I ended up at your door. I tried to get in touch with you actually."

"Really?" John asked as he kept his arms around Rodney.

"Yeah…after he first hit me…I tried to find where I put your address…when I found it He found out. He put a fucking dog collar on me, took me out back and burned your address right in front of me. He told me if I tried to find you again he would hurt Bella…I…I couldn't risk it…Bella is my angel." He said in a quiet voice, johns' shirt clenched in his fists.

John closed his eyes as tears burned behind his eye lids, one slipped down his cheek and landed on Rodney's head gently blending with the water in his hair.

Rodney pulled back and looked up at john who kept his eyes shut. Tears mercilessly cascaded down his cheeks from behind closed eyes.

"John?" Rodney called as he placed a hand on johns shoulder. John's hands came up to rest on Rodneys shoulders as he opened his eyes.

"I'll kill him. I swear I will kill him if I ever see him…you don't deserve that kind of treatment…" he said in a low voice before he pulled Rodney into his arms again.

"What's done is done john…please…I'm just lucky enough to get out of there without him noticing." Rodney said quietly as he held john to him. A small whimper made them pull apart.

Bella was starting to thrash about on the couch crying, "He's going to hurt daddy!!!! STOP HURTING DADDY! NOO DADDY!!!!" She screamed as tears leaked from behind her closed eyes.

Rodney knelt next to the couch and pulled her into his arms, "Sweetie its ok…shh…I'm fine…I got you…he's not here, he can't hurt us anymore…" he said gently as Bella woke up. She clung to Rodney as small sobs wracked through her small frame.

Rodney sat back down on the couch with her in his arms. John sat next to them silently unsure what to do.

"Sweetheart…calm down…I have someone I want you to meet." Rodney told Bella sweetly as her tears dried and she picked her head up from his shoulder. Her brilliant blue eyes wide and damp.

"Bella, this is john. He's a very good friend of mine. I used to work with him." He said to Bella who managed a light smile despite her tears.

"You guys are going to be staying with me…is that alright?" john asked her and she nodded with a yawn.

"Nice to meet you Mr. John." She said quietly as she rested her head back down on Rodneys shoulder.

In a matter of minutes she was sleeping again. Rodney looked to john with barely held back tears in his eyes.

"I can't stand it when she screams like that…it breaks my heart."

John nodded, "Come on, I'll show you to the guest room. You guys can stay as long as you like…it'll be nice to have some company again." He said as he stood, Rodney followed.

They walked side by side down the hallway to the guest room.

"So, how long have you had Bella?" John asked quietly as they walked. Rodney looked to john with a light smile at the mention of his daughter.

"I adopted her when she was 3 but Kyle was fostering her since she was 2." He said as he fought off a shiver at –his- name.

"Kyle didn't adopt her too?" John asked, curious as to why someone would refuse to be the girls' parent.

"He refused to sign the papers…he said it was too much responsibility, so I signed the papers only." He paused a moment "I know what you're thinking "Rodney Mckay actually likes kids?!"" he said in a joke shocked voice and john chuckled lightly, "I guess during that year I was dating "him" I got to visit my sister more and saw Maddie more. I realized how much I wanted what Jeannie had. A family with a beautiful little girl." He finished as he kissed Bella on the head.

"You know…I…I really missed you Rodney." John said once they got to the room and Rodney put Bella down on the bed.

Rodney turned to him, "Yeah…I shouldn't have been so quick to leave. It really didn't hit me as to what I was leaving behind." He said as he looked down.

John took a few steps toward him, "I'll keep you safe. I promise."

"I know…you've protected me before. I trust you with my life. Now in this case with mine and Bella's life."

"Hey," john began; he tucked his fingers under Rodneys chin and tipped up so Rodney looked at him, "It's going to be ok now." His fingers brushed against Rodneys cheeks lightly.

Rodneys eyes fluttered shut a moment as he leaned into johns touch, "I'm half expecting you to pull away." He murmured lightly when john's hands stop at his shoulders.

"Now why's that?" he asked.

"Because I thought you weren't…" he paused unable to find the right word at that moment, "That's why I left…I…I couldn't have what I really wanted."

John's hands froze as his heart stopped beating for a second. Rodney left because of the fact that he wanted him. Loved him even?

"John?" Rodney called gently when john remained rigid.

"God Rodney…all you had to do was ask…I…I didn't know you were gay until you disappeared with that asshole." He said his voice somewhat shaky.

It was Rodneys turn to be the silent one, his eyes roamed over johns face for a moment.

"I…I love you Rodney…I always have…ever since we met and you demanded me to think of the solar system. I regretted never telling you…it was just so new. I've never felt so strongly about someone so I figured if you were straight I would settle with a friendship." He said quietly.

Rodney was taken slightly aback by john's confession. He pulled john in close, his face pressed against the side of john's neck.

"I love you too. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to mess up the friendship we have. You were one of my first best friends…you actually put up with my…short comings…I didn't want to say something to ruin it."

John remained silent and wrapped his arms around Rodney. He whole heartedly embraced john and soaked up his warmth. He nuzzled at johns neck lightly. His body slumped in a comfortable cuddle as his eyes started to droop.

"Maybe we should head to bed…before you fall asleep standing up. You can borrow a pair of my old pjs and I'll give Bella one of my shirts to wear. We'll get your stuff out of the car in the morning." John said lightly, the smile can be heard in his voice.

Rodney mumbled something quietly with a yawn and let john lead him to the bedroom.

TBC-

I know things moved fast in this first chapter but I promise an action packed story.